The B. of Salisbury.The B. of Sarisburie.

The B. of Salisbury.

The B. of Sarisburie.

I might well pass all these authorities over without answer, as being no part of this question. For, I trust, the indifferent Reader of him self will soon believe, we seek no quarrel against S. Peter, nor go about to scan his titles, or to abridge him of his right. It is known that S. Peter by these Fathers here alleged, Augustine, Hierome, Chrysostom, and Cyril, is called the Top, & Head of the Apostles. And if need so required, the same might be avouched by authorities many moe. For who is he, that knoweth not this?

I might wel passe al these authorities ouer without answeare, as beinge no parte of this question. For, I trust, the indifferent Reader of him selfe wil soone beléeue, we séeke no quarel against S. Peter, nor goe aboute to scanne his titles, or to abbridge him of his right. It is knowen that S. Peter by these Fathers here alleged, Augustine, Hierome, Chrysostome, and Cyril, is called the Toppe, & Heade of the Apostles. And if néede so required, the same might be auoutched by authorities many moe. For who is he, that knoweth not this?

But M. Harding knoweth, the case is moved, not of S. Peter, but specially, & namely of the Bishops of Rome: And of them, he knoweth, he should have answered, if his mind had been to deal plainly, &, as he saith, fully to satisfy his Reader. Within the space of the first six hundred years, there were in Rome .68. Bishops, for their Constancy in the Faith, for their Virtue, & learning far exceeding the rest, that have been sithence. The number of them being so great, their learning so notable, their life so holy, it is marvel, M. Harding should not be able to show, that any one of them all, in so long a time, was once called the Head of the Church, & therefore should thus rest only upon S. Peter: who, when he received these Titles, was not Bishop of Rome: & of whom there is no question moved. Wherefore M. Harding may better consider his note in the Margin: & where as he hath written thus, Peter and his Successors called the Head of the Church expressly: He may rather amend it, and make it thus, Only Peter, and not one of his successors, called Head of the Church expressly: So should his note, and his text agree together: and so should he not deceive his Reader.